GEOCHEMICAL APPRAISAL OF OBUDU RANCH SPRING SOUTH -EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Contamination is becoming a threat to spring water in Nigeria especially the Obudu Cattle Ranch spring. This ground water resource is the major source of potable water for both the inhabitants and the agrarian society of the community. This work is part of continuous appraisal of Obudu Cattle Ranchspring. This is to identify the extent of possible contamination and infer the potability of the water. Routine analysis was conducted on the spring water samples to check for the physical, chemical and bacteriological constituents which include the pH, temperature, turbidity, conductivity, alkalinity, magnesium and others. Therefore, the geochemical status of Obudu Cattle Ranch spring in Calabar was assessed for a period of nine years at the peak period of the dry season (in March); using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The result obtained show that, the pH value ranges from 5.7 to 7.3 signifying slightly acidic to neutral water.